Israel SitRep: August 28, 2024

Today’s Issue: | IDF Launches Extensive Counterterrorism Operation in Northern West Bank | IDF’s West Bank Operation: Failed Tel Aviv Suicide Bombing Significant Factor in Timing | IAF Drone Strike Near Syria-Lebanon Border Kills PIJ and Hezbollah Operatives | COGAT Polio Vaccination Update: 1.25 Million Doses Transferred to Gaza | Latest FDD Analysis

IDF Launches Extensive Counterterrorism Operation in Northern West Bank: Overnight, the IDF, Border Police, and Shin Bet began a counterterrorism operation in the northern West Bank cities of Tulkarem and Jenin as well as the Far’a refugee camp. Three gunmen were killed by a drone strike in Jenin. In addition, troops killed another two gunmen, made arrests, and seized ammunition and weapons including M-16s and military equipment. They also destroyed explosives intended to be used against the IDF, which were planted under roads. In the Far’a refugee camp, an IDF drone strike killed four armed men, and troops seized weapons and destroyed explosives placed under roads. According to Elior Levy, Palestinian affairs correspondent for Israel’s channel 11, the operation is intended to break up a network that smuggles explosives, weapons, and a very large amount of money from Lebanon to the West Bank with Iranian backing. Israeli media outlet Israel Hayom says the operation is the largest in the West Bank since the Gaza war began and adds that it is comparable in scale to Operation Defensive Shield, which the IDF launched in March 2002 during the second intifada.

IDF’s West Bank Operation: Failed Tel Aviv Suicide Bombing Significant Factor in Timing: On Wednesday, Doron Kadosh, military correspondent for Israel’s army radio, published additional information on the IDF’s operation in the northern West Bank. He cited defense establishment figures as saying that the previous, targeted operations in the area had failed to achieve their goals and that the threat of terror attacks from the West Bank had actually grown. According to his sources, they were seeking to avoid a situation in which events in the West Bank prevented Israel from fighting in Gaza or Lebanon. Kadosh notes that the main focus of the operation is explosive devices, adding that although preparations were already being made for such an operation, the recent failed suicide bombing in Tel Aviv was a significant catalyst in the decision to launch an operation now. He states that one of the lessons from the October 7 attacks is that the intentions of the terrorists should be examined and not merely the results of their actions.

IAF Drone Strike Near Syria-Lebanon Border Kills PIJ and Hezbollah Operatives: On Wednesday, the Israeli Air Force launched a drone strike near the Syria-Lebanon border that killed Fares Qasem, a central figure in the operations unit of Palestinian Islamic Jihad who was responsible for formulating the group’s operational plans in Syria and Lebanon. According to the IAF, Qasem played a major role in recruiting Palestinians for Hezbollah to carry out attacks against Israel. The announcement adds that in recent years, Hezbollah, with Iranian guidance and funding, has been systematically recruiting Palestinians. The drone strike also killed several other PIJ operatives, who were traveling to Lebanon to carry out attacks for Hezbollah, along with Hezbollah operative Muhammad Taha, whom the group later confirmed was killed “on the road to Jerusalem,” meaning in an Israeli strike. Hezbollah’s death toll since the war began is now at least 431. PIJ later confirmed the deaths of three operatives working under the auspices of Hezbollah.

COGAT Polio Vaccination Update: 1.25 Million Doses Transferred to Gaza: On Wednesday, COGAT, the Israeli entity coordinating humanitarian aid for Gaza, published an update on the polio vaccination campaign taking place in Gaza, a joint effort with UNICEF and the World Health Organization. A total of 25,100 vials of polio vaccine have been brought to Gaza, enough for 1.25 million doses, as well as cooling equipment. UNICEF and the WHO will conduct the vaccination campaign in coordination with the IDF, and during the IDF’s regular humanitarian pauses, Gazans will be able to travel to medical centers to be vaccinated. In addition, UNICEF flyers will be brought to Gaza with explanations of the vaccination process, as will additional “logistical equipment” and “hygiene equipment.”

Latest FDD Analysis:

Today at 8:30am (ET): “FDD Morning Brief,” featuring Jonathan Schanzer and Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Assaf Orion, FDD Event

“Iran’s diplomatic offensive: Islamic Republic is multi-pronged threat to Israelm,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

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“Hezbollah’s plodding war of attrition on Israel will continue – this is how,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“After Hezbollah’s barrage, can it be deterred?” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“Israel Rescues Hostage in Southern Gaza,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

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“Egypt Rejects Israeli Offer to Build Watchtowers Along Philadelphi Corridor,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

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“Iran Conducts First Public Execution of 2024 as Hunger Strikes Continue,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Terrorist Released in Prisoner Swap Killed During Counterterror Operation,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief